MARCY, N.Y. – Amidst sheets of rain towards the end of the game, the SUNYIT Women's Soccer Team (2-2-0, 1-0-0 NEAC) pulled out an exciting 3-2 win over the visiting College of St. Elizabeth Screaming Eagles (1-2-0, 0-1-0 NEAC). The Wildcats rode a clutch goal by Kristina Strang (Rotterdam, N.Y. / Schalmont HS) in the 86th minute of the game to victory.
While the Wildcats have had success historically over the Eagles, St. Elizabeth came out of the locker room like a team unchained by the past, and jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Valerie Lasko was credited with the goal, but the goal itself resulted from a failed clear by a SUNYIT defender.
SUNYIT quickly answered as Kendra Wagstaff (Candor, N.Y. / Candor Central HS) recorded her first goal of the season. The junior transfer stole an attempted pass from the Eagles goalie and kicked it past for the score.
With some momentum in toe and the score tied, SUNYIT's scoring muscle showed up as leading goal-scorer Stephanie Wurz (Whitesboro, N.Y. / Notre Dame HS) notched her fourth goal of the season. The junior midfielder dribbled through two St. Elizabeth defenders before poking it in.
In the second half SUNYIT seemed poised to run out the clock with a 2-1 lead when Dina Toledo scrambled the Wildcats' plans. The senior gained an advantage down the left side; all alone, she forced SUNYIT goalie Aubrey Campbell (Auburn, N.Y. / Auburn) to come way out of the goal, and then bent a one-bouncer into the empty net.
To add to the dejected Wildcats misery, the torrential rains that had been predicted finally started to fall. As fans headed for shelter and rain blanketed the field, a 2-2 tie seemed inevitable.
Minutes later, however, it appeared the Eagles had other plans as a St. Elizabeth midfielder broke free deep in SUNYIT territory. With the Eagles staring down a one-on-one with the goalie, SUNYIT defender Erica Bortiatynski (Rome, N.Y. / Holland Patent) came out of nowhere to save the game for the Wildcats. The sophomore sprinted down the Eagle would-be scorer and executed a perfect slide tackle, knocking the ball out of bounds.
The play would loom even larger in the 86th minute when Strang's monster goal put SUNYIT up 3-2. The 5-6 junior let loose an impressive boot from just outside the penalty box. The ball curled over the top of Eagles goalie Catherine De La Cruz and ripped the net unimpeded.
With the win SUNYIT improved to 1-0 in conference play, while the Eagles fall to 0-1.
The Wildcats will have another conference match up in less than 24 hours, as they host Wilson College in a noon match on Sunday.
